FRANKFORT, Ky. – Governor Ernie Fletcher has directed that flags at all state office buildings be lowered to half-staff in honor of Sgt. Louis A. Griese.

According to the Department of Defense, Sgt. Griese, 30, of Sturgeon Bay, Wis., died Oct. 31 in Tikrit, Iraq, of injuries sustained north of Samarra when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell.

Flags will remain at half-staff until sunset on the day of Sgt. Griese’s funeral, which has not yet been determined.

Individuals, businesses, organizations and government agencies are encouraged to join in this tribute by lowering flags in honor of Sgt. Griese.

Flags are currently at half-staff in honor of Master Sgt. Thomas L. Bruner, of Owensboro, who died Oct. 28 in Kabul, Afghanistan, and Forest Hills Police Chief Randy Wells, who was killed Monday while providing traffic control for a construction crew working on Louisville’s Gene Snyder Freeway. Sgt. Bruner’s funeral will be Monday, Nov. 5. Chief Wells’ funeral is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 2.